Named after Queen Isabella of Spain, this island in all Galapagos, and one of the archipelago’s most volcanically active. We landed on the black sands of Urbina Bay, where turtles come ashore to lay and bury their eggs. This area is vast and heavily vegetated due to the nutrient rich volcanic soil that provides for a whole host of wildlife which call this island home.
The flightless birds here don’t need to go far, for the place is rich in food and shelter year-round. Giant tortoises and iguanas alike can be found inhabiting these lands in great numbers. The last stop of today’s expedition on Isabella Island is the beach, where we swim, lounge, and observe the tropical penguins and sea turtles.
The afternoon is no less superb, with guests getting to choose between kayaks and paddleboards to glide along Galapagos coast for a big-picture vantage of this beauty. We return ashore to gear up for snorkeling in the company of penguins, turtles, fish, cormorants, and more.
Land lovers continue the expedition with an invigorating hike to view Darwin Lake while others take an extended Zodiac ride, to witness more of the exquisite coastal wildlife that enchants these islands.
